Michigan Tech has received authorization from the state to implement five new degree programs. Max Seel, provost and vice president for academic affairs, says the degrees will help the University achieve its strategic goal of becoming an institution of international stature—and to be attractive to students and faculty from around the world.
Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Bachelor of Arts in Physics with a concentration in secondary education: Seel says, “The motivation for offering a BA in physics is to provide students with a strong foundation in the field, but fewer course requirements. It’s basically what I think the American Physical Society said in its gender equity report—to create flexible tracks for physics majors. This BA, then, basically offers flexibility. It has nothing to do with less rigor, but to create more job opportunities.” Seel adds, “The secondary education track in the physics BA will directly address the need for more high school physics teachers. Recent studies have shown that more than half of high school teachers teaching physics do not have a degree or minor in physics or physics education.”
